Thunderbird School of Global Managementhttp://one.thunderbird.edu
One Thunderbird UpdatesenASU and Thunderbird Announcement from Dr. Crowhttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/asu-and-thunderbird-announcement-dr-crow
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-12-19T00:00:00-07:00">2014-12-19T00:00:00-07:00 2014-12-19T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><a href="http://asu.thunderbird.edu/"><img src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/images/header-alumni-asu.jpg" border="0" alt="Thunderbird School of Global Management @ ASU" width="650" height="100" style="display: block;" /></a></p>
<p>I wanted to reach out to you personally to share important news about Arizona State University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Today, we signed an agreement completing a process to bring Thunderbird into the ASU knowledge enterprise. The integration of Thunderbird with ASU will provide a platform for showcasing ASU&#8217;s strengths to new partners around the world, while offering Thunderbird’s students and faculty access to the resources of one of the nation’s most dynamic research universities. Please take a look at the announcement below and watch this <a href="https://asunews.asu.edu/20141219-asu-thunderbird-agreement" target="_blank">video</a> for more information about this exciting new relationship between two of Arizona’s most distinguished institutions of higher education.</p>
<p><strong>Michael M. Crow</strong><br /><em>President <br /></em><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">Arizona State University</em></p>
<h4>ASU, Thunderbird School of Global Management Finalize Agreement</h4>
<p><em>University leaders look forward to strengthened global brand with new degree and certificate programs</em></p>
<p> <strong>TEMPE, Ariz. – </strong>Arizona State University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management have signed a final agreement to make the Thunderbird School of Global Management part of the ASU knowledge enterprise, combining the strength of an international business-education powerhouse with the resources of an innovative public research university.</p>
<p> “The integration of Thunderbird with ASU will benefit both institutions,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “This will create new opportunities for our students, and it will provide a platform for showcasing ASU’s strengths to a new set of <a href="https://asunews.asu.edu/20141219-asu-global-engagement" target="_blank">partners around the world</a>. Thunderbird students will have access to a much broader range of courses, as well as the advantages that come with being part of a major research university.”</p>
<p> Crow named <a href="https://asunews.asu.edu/20141219-thunderbird-bio" target="_blank">Allen Morrison</a>, a scholar of global management who until recently held the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Chair for Responsible Leadership in the Maritime Industry at IMD, to become Chief Executive Officer and Director General of the new Thunderbird.</p>
<p> “Today’s announcement means that former, current and future Thunderbird students can look to the future with confidence knowing they have the benefit of a unique global partnership,” said Morrison. “Thunderbird is stronger as a part of ASU and ASU is stronger for having Thunderbird as a part of the institution.”</p>
<p> Ann Iverson, the chair of the Thunderbird board, hailed the arrangement as a step that will enhance the school’s global reputation. </p>
<p> “Thunderbirds are rightfully proud of what the school means to their lives and what the brand means in the business world,” said Iverson. “The spirit of innovation that thrives at Arizona State University makes it the ideal partner to lead Thunderbird through the next stage of its evolution. With today’s announcement, our work continues, our ranks will expand and our reputation for excellence will grow even stronger.”</p>
<p> A tentative agreement between the two institutions reached in July was followed by months of discussion around financial and operational details. The final agreement announced today reflects the resolution of those discussions between the parties, as well as the approval of the Arizona Board of Regents and the Higher Learning Commission, the principal accrediting body for both schools. The deal is expected to close by December 31, when final arrangements are expected to be complete with the U.S. Department of Education and Thunderbird’s creditors. “</p>
<p> This is great for Thunderbird and for ASU,” said Larry Penley, the outgoing president of Thunderbird. “I am very pleased that Thunderbird will have a sustainable future in which to grow and thrive with ASU, which has a commitment to excellence and global prominence for Arizona.”</p>
<p> Degree programs offered by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU will initially include a Master of Global Management, a one-year, three-semester degree program and a Master of Art in Global Affairs and Management, a two-year degree. In addition, Graduate Certificates requiring the completion of five courses will be offered in Global Management, Global Affairs, and Global Development. The new Thunderbird will also emphasize opportunities in executive education.</p>
<p> Thunderbird, located at 59th Avenue and Greenway not far from ASU’s West Valley campus, was founded in 1946 and for decades has enjoyed a reputation for excellence and leadership in global management and business education. Major publications around the world have consistently named Thunderbird as a leader in global business education.</p>
<p> ASU is a comprehensive public research university that measures success not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed. The largest public university in the nation, ASU is dedicated to advancing research and discovery of public value, and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social and social well-being of the communities that it serves. It is also engaged globally, with research and development projects underway in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. ASU recently ranked eighth in the nation for its international student enrollment, with students from more than 150 countries.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 22:14:56 +0000Julie McGough1287 at http://one.thunderbird.eduMessage to Thunderbird Community Regarding HLC Decisionhttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/message-thunderbird-community-regarding-hlc-decision
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-11-18T00:00:00-07:00">2014-11-18T00:00:00-07:00 2014-11-18T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><table style="margin-left: 6px;" border="0" width="650" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://alumni.thunderbird.edu/"><img src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/images/header-alumni-asu.jpg" border="0" alt="Thunderbird School of Global Management" width="650" height="100" style="display: block;" /></a></td>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Dear Thunderbird Community:</p>
<p> As we continue to work towards a final agreement on the integration of the Thunderbird School of Global Management into Arizona State University, we wanted to reach out with a few important and positive updates about the process.</p>
<p> The Arizona Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU. Specifically, ABOR approved the establishment of the Masters of Global Management degree, as well as a Masters of Arts in Global Affairs and Management degree. Both of these degrees are now offered at Thunderbird and ASU’s plan is to re-establish the Masters of Global Management as the flagship degree that it was when it was called the Masters of International Management (MIM). The Master of Arts degree in Global Affairs and Management will provide students with a much deeper reach into political and global studies. </p>
<p> As you know, Arizona State and U.S. Regional regulatory approvals are among the essential steps as well toward a final agreement. We have received approval from the Arizona Board of Private Postsecondary Education for the continuation of Thunderbird’s State license and the opportunity to extend the license, consistent with approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). </p>
<p> As has been noted since the budding relationship between ASU and Thunderbird was first discussed, a key step in the transition process is the approval of the proposed arrangement by the HLC, which is the U.S. federally authorized accrediting authority that approves the issuance of degrees. Thunderbird and ASU have just received word from the HLC and I wanted to share that with you right away. </p>
<p> The Board of the HLC has voted to approve the integration of Thunderbird into ASU. Per the Commission, “the Board voted to approve the application filed under the Commission’s policy on Change of Control &#8230; .” ASU, like Thunderbird, is already accredited by the HLC. With a satisfactory finalization of the integration of Thunderbird into ASU, Thunderbird’s independent accreditation will cease at the time of the agreement between Thunderbird and ASU, which is expected to occur between the middle and end of December. At that time, the transfer of Thunderbird’s assets and operations will begin and ASU will assume responsibility for the education of currently enrolled Thunderbird students. Currently enrolled students will be able to pursue a curriculum that is largely unchanged with a Thunderbird faculty with which students are already familiar but under the auspices of ASU. The HLC has approved an extension of Thunderbird’s accreditation for 12 months after the transaction closes. Under the anticipated timeline for the transaction, what this means is that students currently enrolled at Thunderbird will be able to transfer credits earned under the auspices of ASU toward a Thunderbird degree until the end of 2015. After that point, ASU will grant remaining Thunderbird students a degree under Thunderbird degree requirements, but ASU would officially be the accredited institution effectively awarding the degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. <a href="http://www.ncahlc.org/download/_PublicDisclosureNotices/_ASU%20Thunderbird%20PDN.pdf" target="_blank">Check here to see the public announcement from HLC</a>. </p>
<p> This is encouraging news and a very important step that enables us to move ahead with planning for the integration of Thunderbird into ASU. While planning proceeds, please keep in mind that several important steps remain before this agreement can be completed, including a satisfactory conclusion of negotiations with lenders over the disposition of Thunderbird’s existing debt and confirmation from the Thunderbird Board of Trustees that the funds required to complete the transaction are in place.</p>
<p> We thank you for loyalty to Thunderbird and your continued support of this process,</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/images/serle-sig.png" border="0" alt="Mark Searle" width="195" height="81" name="Mark Searle" id="Mark Searle" /><br /><strong>Mark S. Searle, Ph.D. </strong><br /> Deputy Provost &amp; Chief of Staff and <br /> President Professor, School of Community Resources &amp; Development <br /> Arizona State University </p>
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<p> </p>
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<p><img src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/images/penley_sig2.png" border="0" alt="Larry Penley" width="200" height="81" name="Larry Penley" id="Larry Penley" /><br /><strong>Larry Edward Penley, Ph.D.</strong><br /> President<br /> Thunderbird School of Global Management</p>
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</tr></tbody></table></div></div></div>Wed, 19 Nov 2014 18:10:02 +0000Sean Durell1284 at http://one.thunderbird.eduASU's President sends video message to Thunderbird alumnihttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/asus-president-sends-video-message-thunderbird-alumni
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-08-08T00:00:00-07:00">2014-08-08T00:00:00-07:00 2014-08-08T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>To view Michael Crow&#8217;s video message, <a href="http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/400471/uiconf_id/24666742/entry_id/0_ikgj7s05/embed/auto?" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:29:52 +00001279 at http://one.thunderbird.eduThunderbird staff teams engage with ASU counterpartshttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/thunderbird-staff-teams-engage-asu-counterparts
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-22T00:00:00-07:00">2014-09-22T00:00:00-07:00 2014-09-22T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Progress continues to be made on the Thunderbird-ASU partnership; as a critical step forward, many of the schools’ multiple service units have begun gathering. These “discovery” meetings have facilitated introductions on both sides, as well as discussions around the general layout of responsibilities, expectations, process, staffing, systems and structures. </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">To date the following staff teams have engaged in this discovery process: Admissions, Alumni Relations, Career Management, Development, Employer Relations, Executive Education, Finance &amp; Accounting, Financial Aid, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library Services, Registrar, Student Recruitment and Thunderbird for Good. Later this week meetings dedicated to Student Affairs and Student Experience will be taking place. </span></p>
<p>Below we have highlighted just a few department updates:</p>
<p><strong>Alumni Relations<br /></strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">By Terri Nissen, Sr. Director of Alumni Central</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Your Alumni Relations staff and ACT President held an introductory meeting with Dr. Christine Wilkinson, President of the ASU Alumni Association, and other members of the ASU alumni leadership team earlier this month. During this initial meeting Dr. Wilkinson reiterated that Thunderbird will have its own Alumni Association within ASU, and that Thunderbird alumni will benefit by also having access to the services provided by the ASU Alumni Association. She was also quick to point out the uniqueness of the Thunderbird alumni network and the distinctiveness of Thunderbird’s traditions. This meeting represented just the first step in the realization of opportunities for both Thunderbird and ASU as we move forward in this process. We in Alumni Relations will keep you up to date as further progress is made on this front.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Career Management &amp; Employer Relations<br /></span></strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">By Guy Groff - Associate VP of Career Management Center &amp; Professional Development</span></p>
<p>Students are fully engaged in their job and internship searches and discussions are underway with ASU about career services support through graduation. Based on these meetings we are optimistic that students will receive the same services that the Thunderbird Career Management Center is currently providing. Additionally, the ASU Fall Career Fair was just last week and Thunderbird students were invited to participate. The fair boasted representatives onsite from over 200 companies. We have also extended an invitation to students from the W. P. Carey School of Business to attend the Thunderbird Career Fair on October 23. We are dedicated to the successful employment of our students, so your future alumni will be actively participating in this fall’s many National Career Fairs and Expos including the National Black MBA Association (September 18-19), National Society for Hispanic MBAs (September 26-27), Reaching Out (October 3), Veterans MBA (October 3) and Net Impact (November 6-8). </p>
<p><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I&amp;IT (Information &amp; Instructional Technology)<br /></span></strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">By Jim Harnden – Chief Information Officer</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The I&amp;IT department has been meeting with our counterparts at ASU over the last several weeks and have established open lines of communication. We have spent time talking about each of our various processes, existing systems and their possible integration. A plan and timeline is being developed regarding which school’s systems will be used for the various functions, as well as the associated integration process necessary. The three main areas of focus include: 1) Processes and systems for the current students already enrolled at Thunderbird; 2) Processes and systems for the incoming fall 2015 Thunderbird @ ASU students; and 3) Resources required to support the Glendale campus customers and systems. The IT teams at both schools are also engaged in many of the department-level meetings, as software and systems are part of most business processes today. I am encouraged by the level of staff openness and involvement.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">More teams are engaging as the term advances. In fact, fellow alum and Global Council Regional Chair for Europe, David Young ’91, will meet with ASU’s Chief Marketing Officer in October to present the Thunderbird Brand Positioning work developed over the last 18 months in consultation with Thunderbird’s many constituencies including faculty, staff, students and alumni. Both schools are working diligently to continue the discovery and project implementation process; further updates to come as this partnership solidifies this fall.</span></p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:20:37 +00001278 at http://one.thunderbird.eduASU President Michael M. Crow communicates to Thunderbird alumni and studentshttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/asu-president-michael-m-crow-communicates-thunderbird-alumni-and-students
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-07-18T00:00:00-07:00">2014-07-18T00:00:00-07:00 2014-07-18T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Dear Thunderbird Community: </p>
<p> As you may know, Thunderbird is engaged in completing the details of an alliance with one of America&#8217;s most innovative universities - Arizona State University. Michael Crow, President of ASU, sends the messages below to our alumni and students.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 13px;"><img id="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/president/2012/nov/images/penley_sig.jpg" border="0" alt="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." width="200" height="75" name="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." style="margin-bottom: 5px;" /><br /><span style="color: #002e5f;"><strong>Larry Edward Penley, Ph.D.</strong></span><br /> President</td>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img id="Arizona State University" src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/alumni/2014/jul/images/asu_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="Arizona State University" width="260" height="77" name="Arizona State University" /></div>
<p>July 15, 2014</p>
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<p>Dear Thunderbird Alumni:</p>
<p> By now you have probably heard that Arizona State University is in discussions to have the Thunderbird School of Global Management join the group of colleges, schools and institutes that comprise our university. As things move forward, I want to assure you that the Thunderbird historic global education vision will be sustained and strengthened. </p>
<p> We are excited by this future merger, which will make both organizations stronger and provide students with an exceptional educational experience. Thunderbird, as a separate unit at ASU, will bring to our university its powerful international reputation and its strong global management and executive education programs and serve as an excellent complement to the renowned business education programs in ASU&#8217;s W.P. Carey School of Business.</p>
<p> Alumni have been vital to building Thunderbird&#8217;s prominent international reputation. ASU looks forward to engaging and working with you as this next chapter is written for both our organizations. We, like you, are steadfast in our commitment to maintain Thunderbird&#8217;s mission and see it flourish. Working together we can provide an incomparable level of education to our current and future students who will become the global leaders for this generation and future generations to come. </p>
<p> Sincerely,</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 13px;"><img id="Michael M. Crow" src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/alumni/2014/jul/images/crow_sig.jpg" border="0" alt="Michael M. Crow" width="200" height="61" name="Michael M. Crow" style="margin-bottom: 5px;" /><br /><span style="color: #000;"><strong>Michael M. Crow</strong></span><br /> President</td>
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</tr></tbody></table></div></div></div>Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:30:58 +00001268 at http://one.thunderbird.eduThunderbird and Arizona State University Updatehttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/thunderbird-and-arizona-state-university-update
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-07-09T00:00:00-07:00">2014-07-09T00:00:00-07:00 2014-07-09T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>To Our Global Thunderbird Community,</p>
<p> I am truly excited that we have reached preliminary agreement to pursue joining the Arizona State University (ASU) community to further the global brand, mission and sustainability of our beloved school.</p>
<p> ASU has been a good and respected neighbor for a long time and will be a great home for Thunderbird. ASU is one of the world&#8217;s most innovative universities and is consistently ranked as among the top schools in the US and worldwide. It is ranked by <em>US News and World Report</em> as the 2nd most innovative school in the US, and the National Academy of Inventors recently recognized ASU for being a Top 100 Worldwide University. ASU is a globally minded partner. It makes a significant commitment to global impact with one of its eight New American University Design Aspirations being “Engage Globally”. It already has more than 6,000 non-US students, and it has an array of international programs for which Thunderbird can play a critical leadership role via Thunderbird&#8217;s own historic commitment to global management education.</p>
<p> Thunderbird will join the collection of colleges, schools and institutes which constitute ASU. As previously reported, the cost to remain competitive, true to our mission and able to lead in the fast changing global education market has progressively exceeded our means. Seeking a strong, compatible, globally-minded partner who supports our mission became the necessary strategic path to build a runway for sustainable growth and global leadership.</p>
<p> ASU is led by Dr. Michael Crow, broadly regarded as one of the best, most innovative university presidents. According to Dr. Crow, <em>“&#8230;we believe in, we are committed to, and we share the ideals and aspiration found in your mission, vision and oath. Like Thunderbird, ASU is focused on the education of principled global leaders who create value, grow communities, and establish a society of stability rather than volatility.”</em> Importantly, ASU seeks to significantly expand its global leadership credentials and regards Thunderbird as a primary driver toward that goal. ASU is committed to maintaining and advancing the Thunderbird vision and mission.</p>
<p> Under the principal terms of our agreement, Thunderbird will:</p>
<ul><li>Become a separate unit within the ASU community, called the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.</li>
<li>Bring its strong brand as key global driver of ASU as the New American University, including collaborative arrangements within ASU for new global platforms.</li>
<li>Focus on degree programs that are distinctively Thunderbird&#8217;s and that are non-duplicative of other existing ASU degree programs, e.g., the W. P. Carey MBA. While no final decisions have been made on future degree programs of the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, the legacy degree - the Masters of International Management (MIM) - is a prime candidate for leading the Thunderbird School&#8217;s academic degree offerings. Selected global MS degrees are likely to be offered in in-person, hybrid and online formats along with international management specializations within new and existing graduate and undergraduate programs.</li>
<li>Lead with International Executive Education as a distinctive strength of Thunderbird&#8217;s, and plans call for it to play a central role in the School&#8217;s non-degree offerings within ASU.</li>
<li>Continue to offer currently enrolled students and those entering in September degrees from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Thereafter, the degrees will come from Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. (These plans are subject to regulatory approval.)</li>
<li>Continue to have its own integrated alumni association, led by the Alumni Council of Thunderbird (ACT), as a personal and professional asset for past and future graduates as well as the advancement and development of future Thunderbird educational programs.</li>
</ul><p>Operationally, ASU will assume control of the Thunderbird operations at closing subject to approval from the accrediting and regulatory agencies. Consummation of the transaction is subject to agreement upon a Plan of Transfer, completion of due diligence, satisfaction of other closing conditions, and approval by the Arizona Board of Regents and regulatory bodies.</p>
<p> As a School within the ASU community, the Thunderbird corporation will no longer be the employer, and ASU will make selective offers to a large number of Thunderbird&#8217;s current faculty and to many of Thunderbird&#8217;s staff. Following the close, those employees accepting ASU offers will become ASU employees with the ASU benefit package and responsibilities consistent with ASU&#8217;s structure and management.</p>
<p> Plans are already underway to submit the necessary applications for change to the Higher Learning Commission, the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, and AACSB, among others. We have been pleased with the initial response by representatives of these accrediting bodies. ASU already has institutional accreditation by AACSB, Thunderbird&#8217;s business specialization accreditor, and ASU and Thunderbird are both accredited by the same U.S. regional accrediting body, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (the Higher Learning Commission).</p>
<p> According to Ann Iverson, Chairman of the Thunderbird Board of Trustees,<em> “We have been through a challenging period but we have remained true to our mission and our promise to students as we sought the best possible path forward. Our future with ASU is bright, our mission is preserved and we will now have a sustainable path to grow and lead.” </em></p>
<p> This is a positive pivotal moment for us all. We are now turning the page to a new chapter in the proud, amazing history of Thunderbird. Onward!</p>
<p> Sincerely,</p>
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 13px;"><img id="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/president/2012/nov/images/penley_sig.jpg" border="0" alt="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." width="200" height="75" name="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." style="margin-bottom: 5px;" /><br /><span style="color: #002e5f;"><strong>Larry Edward Penley, Ph.D.</strong></span><br /> President</td>
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</tr></tbody></table></div></div></div>Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:17:41 +00001265 at http://one.thunderbird.eduImportant Announcement from Thunderbirdhttp://one.thunderbird.edu/blog/important-announcement-thunderbird
<div class="field field-name-field-custom-post-date-one field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-07-03T00:00:00-07:00">2014-07-03T00:00:00-07:00 2014-07-03T00:00:00-07:00</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Dear Thunderbird Community, </p>
<p> Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University are in productive discussions that would lead to the Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU becoming a separate school within the family of ASU colleges. Thunderbird and ASU have signed a Letter of Intent as the next step in that process.</p>
<p>The future of Thunderbird matters to all of us. That is why the Board of Trustees voted unanimously almost two years ago to pursue a strategic partnership to raise Thunderbird&#8217;s competitive position while preserving its brand and continuing to pursue its global mission. I am happy to report we have found that partner in Arizona State University, widely considered one of the world&#8217;s most innovative educational institutions.</p>
<p>Below is the news release that was issued to the news media a short time ago. Again I want to thank you for your support of Thunderbird. </p>
<p> Regards,</p>
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 13px;"><img id="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." src="http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/email/president/2012/nov/images/penley_sig.jpg" border="0" alt="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." width="200" height="75" name="Larry E. Penley, Ph.D." style="margin-bottom: 5px;" /><br /><span style="color: #002e5f;"><strong>Larry Edward Penley, Ph.D.</strong></span><br /> President</td>
<td style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 13px;"></td>
</tr></tbody></table><hr /><p><strong>ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY &amp;<br /> THUNDERBIRD SCHOOL OF GLOBAL MANAGEMENT<br /> PRESS RELEASE</strong></p>
<p> July 3, 2014</p>
<p>Arizona State University is in discussions to have the Thunderbird School of Global Management join the collection of colleges, schools and institutes which constitute ASU. A letter of intent outlining the general terms under which the integration would take place has been agreed to by Thunderbird and ASU, and we are working diligently and productively towards a final agreement.</p>
<p>“This merger offers significant advantages to both institutions,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “Through the integration of Thunderbird with ASU, the Thunderbird historic global education vision will be sustained and extended, students at ASU and Thunderbird will have access to more courses and programs, ASU&#8217;s executive education programs can be broadened and expanded, and financial efficiencies will be created.” </p>
<p>“This is a big moment in Thunderbird&#8217;s history, and we are excited by the significant opportunity it represents to join with one of the world&#8217;s most innovative universities,” according to Larry Penley, President of Thunderbird. “Both institutions share compatible missions and a strong commitment to global impact, which can energize us both.”</p>
<p>Thunderbird, as a separate unit at ASU, would bring its powerful international reputation and its strong global management and executive education programs, and serve as an excellent complement to the renowned business education programs in ASU&#8217;s W. P. Carey School of Business.</p>
<p>The W. P. Carey School is one of the highest-ranked and largest business schools in the United States, with more than 11,000 students and undergraduate business, full-time MBA, part-time MBA and online MBA programs all ranked Top 30 by <em>U.S. News &amp; World Report.</em> The school is internationally regarded for its research - recently ranked No. 1 overall for business-school research productivity by the academic journal <em>Technovation.</em> Its distinguished faculty members include a Nobel Prize winner. Students come from more than 90 countries and include about 50 National Merit Scholars and more than 100 doctoral candidates. The vast alumni network includes more than 90,000.</p>
<p>Founded in 1946, Thunderbird is the historic leader in global management education, repeatedly ranked at or near the top for international business by <em>U.S. News &amp; World Report,</em> among <em>The Economist&#8217;s</em> top three schools for its international alumni network, and third in the world for its customized executive education by the <em>Financial Times.</em> It offers a range of graduate management degree programs, as well as conducting an extensive executive education program with companies in the United States and around the world. Thunderbird has approximately 750 full-time and working professional students on its Phoenix West Valley campus and offers programs in dozens of locations across the United States, and in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa, including at major centers in Switzerland and Russia. Its mission of focusing on the education of principled global leaders who create value, grow communities, and establish a society of stability rather than volatility would fit well with ASU&#8217;s New American University design aspirations of inclusion and excellence, social embeddedness, and global engagement. </p>
<p>ASU is ranked one of the top 80 universities in the world and offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs on four Metro Phoenix campuses to some 78,000 students and has one of the nation&#8217;s best and most successful Internet-based degree programs, ASU Online.</p>
<p>Under the terms being discussed, many existing Thunderbird degree and executive education programs and a number of new educational programs would be offered by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University as early as the Fall 2015 term. At the same time, students currently enrolled at Thunderbird and those enrolling in fall 2014 would continue to complete the Thunderbird degrees in which they initially enrolled. The current and new programs would be offered by members of the current Thunderbird faculty who will become members of the ASU faculty, with the offerings supplemented by ASU with complementary expertise. The reorganized program offerings are subject to review by the Higher Learning Commission, ASU and Thunderbird&#8217;s accreditation agency.</p>
<p>Thunderbird programs can be operated utilizing ASU core support and administrative services at a lower cost than Thunderbird can maintain such services itself, said Crow. Existing ASU undergraduate programs and new ASU undergraduate programs can serve as a pipeline of students for Thunderbird programs, expanding enrollment and providing new opportunities to ASU&#8217;s students.</p>
<p>Other advantages to the two institutions:</p>
<ul><li>Complementary ASU academic programs in global culture and language can be integrated into the Thunderbird curriculum in a way that benefits both ASU and Thunderbird. </li>
<li>New and existing ASU programs can be offered internationally in ways that take advantage of the Thunderbird brand to expand enrollment and generate additional revenue; and </li>
<li>The executive education programs of Thunderbird and ASU can be offered in a complementary and expanded manner.</li>
</ul><p>After Thunderbird joins ASU, the school, like ASU&#8217;s other colleges, schools and institutes will be governed by the Arizona Board of Regents. However, Thunderbird&#8217;s global alumni network of 41,000 graduates in 126 countries will be maintained and enhanced for purposes of ensuring a deep connection to the rich history, legacy, traditions and mission of the Thunderbird School of Global Management. </p>
<p>As part of the work underway under the letter of intent, Thunderbird and ASU will work to restructure the form that the faculty and staff operations would take as a unit of ASU. Personnel reductions are likely to result, with the goal of making the new Thunderbird school self-sustaining within ASU so that no current or new state appropriations or existing tuition will be required. The nature and scale of the reductions are still being studied.</p>
<p>ASU and Thunderbird will be working diligently to complete the work needed to determine if the integration described above can be structured and expect to complete the work on a timetable that allows an agreement to be completed by the end of July and a completion of the needed accreditation changes later in the calendar year.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 07 Jul 2014 19:27:08 +00001264 at http://one.thunderbird.edu